Governor proposes tax hike

SACRAMENTO — Local legislators aren't buying a plan by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's that would raise San Bernardino County sales tax from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent

The one-cent sales tax hike would last for three years and amounts to a 13 percent increase.

Schwarzenegger's proposal is doomed to fail, according to Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, who said there is "not a Republican on the Assembly floor that will vote for a tax increase."

"We are literally the last line of defense against increased taxes in California," said Adams.

Schwarzenegger, who in the past has opposed raising taxes, put forward a one cent sales tax increase to end a stalemate over the state budget that is nearly two months past its deadline.

Sen. George Runner said he thinks Republicans were closer to reaching a budget with Democrats before Schwarzenegger ever made his announcement.

"The fact is that California is already in a sagging economy and to add an additional tax to Californians — it jeopardizes it even more," said George Runner, R-Lancaster. He thinks there are better ways to close the $15.2 billion budget deficit, such as selling off surplus property or privatizing the state lottery to provide more revenue.

"Raising taxes takes money out of the hands of our citizens and puts it into the hands of wasteful Sacramento bureaucrats and politicians," said David Zook, spokesman for San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. "The governor has told us repeatedly that Sacramento does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. He knows the solution is not to raise taxes but instead to cut spending."

The governor's current proposal would raise local sales tax to 8.75 percent from its current 7.75 percent. If a Victor Valley resident bought a $50,000 vehicle, they would have to pay $512 dollars more in sales tax if the governor has his way.

"I think it's a horrible idea," said Adams. "I think the governor demonstrates just how out of touch he is with Californians at a time when California families are struggling to make ends meet. Telling them we're going to take more of their money is unacceptable."

According to the governor's proposal, the tax will be rolled back in four years, but George Runner and Zook are also skeptical that the tax will actually be temporary.

"Sacramento doesn't show any sign of slowing down their spending," Zook said. "If anything, I would predict they'll be trying to raise taxes in four years. Besides, when is the last time Sacramento gave us a tax cut?"

Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, along with many Republican leaders, have vowed to reject any budget that includes a tax increase, leaving no end in sight for the passage of a budget.

"To put it simply, any tax increase is not a compromise," Sharon Runner said. "California's families should not be forced to pay for Sacramento's 'spending addiction.'"